1. You may identify the stasis in the play but it isn’t necessarily at the beginning of the play. Where is it and who does it involve?
The play takes place in the courtroom and travels to different scenes by use of tape and video screens. Dan White is being convicted of 2 accounts of murder: mayor Moscone and Supervisor Milk. On opposite sides of the courtroom sit the defense and prosecution. At the beginning of the play, results don't look favorable for White after Thomas Norman (prosecution attorney) has multiple witnesses that were near the shooting and records of his current job status.
2. Ball points out that the intrusion sometimes occurs late in the dramatic action. What is the intrusion that breaks the stasis in Execution of Justice and how is it broken?
After an abundance of evidence is stacked up against Milk, Chief Inspector Falzon presents Milk's confession tape which moves the jury to tears. Even though he's confession the murders, the jury is moved by his claims to never have had the intention of shooting anyone that day and carrying out of habit as a cop. They also felt sympathy for his mental health issues and the stress he had been under since being taken out of the running for a position on the board of supervisors. His outcome could have been much more severe if this tape hadn't swayed the jury.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor that is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place? Hint: what is the heart of the play? How does the title figure in this?
The 1970's was the beginning for a lot of LGBT rights and movements in San Francisco. Events such as parades were being organized so the community could feel more comfortable in their environment. This particular moment in history made this court case so significant because the murders didn't just affect the friends and family of Moscone and Milk, but affected the entire LGBT community. This was the first time a gay official was put into office, giving hope to those who could now have a voice on what happened in their city. Now, that hope had been abolished. The title "Execution of Justice" figures into this moment in history because the community felt like justice had to be served in order to not let the justice system base its decision on tradition.
4. State the dramatic questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
Does White deserve to be found guilty?
What events took place in order to lead to the murder?
5. Use the two lawyers to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, ie. The dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what these particular characters wants. The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles facing each of the lawyers.
Both Norman and Schmidt act professionally in the courtroom in a sense that their clients might not be as important to them as their pay rate. Upon reading the play, each lawyer makes his case for White or the people, providing as much evidence as they can. This lack of personal connection may reveal that a character may not be as invested as he or she appears. When an outcome benefits them as much if not more as their client, it can be argued that their motives are selfishly driven. In this case, each lawyer faces an obstacle of Me against another individual (being the other attorney) and me against society (being the jury they're trying to persuade).
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Execution of Justice.
The most theatrical moment of the play takes place when the courtroom and the audience find out the jury's verdict. Mixed emotions of happiness, relief, despair, and hopelessness fill the room due to what may or may not be a justifiable outcome.
1. You may identify the stasis in the play but it isn’t necessarily at the beginning of the play. Where is it and who does it involve?
2. Ball points out that the intrusion sometimes occurs late in the dramatic action. What is the intrusion that breaks the stasis in Execution of Justice and how is it broken?
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor that is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place? Hint: what is the heart of the play? How does the title figure in this?
4. State the dramatic questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
5. Use the two lawyers to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, ie. The dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what these particular characters wants. The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles facing each of the lawyers.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Execution of Justice.